Electrical terminal and switchboard terminal block



Dec. 17, F. L. CURRIE EIAL 2,224,902

ELECTRICAL TERMINAL AND SWITCHBOARD TERMINAL BLOCK Fi-led June 18, 19.57 'asheets-sheet 1 FIGJ 0 0 o ?o 0 o 0 6 C) 0 O O 5 0 O O O O O 0 O O O '0 (D O O O o I a 39 i u 1 O 0 O O 0 O O O O O O O O O O 0 O O O '0 O Q @Q @9 INVENTORS F.L.CURR|E L.H.ROVERE AT RNEY D86. 17, 1940. -F CURRIE r AL 2,224,902

ELECTRICAL, TERMINAL AND SWITCHBOARD TERMINAL BLOCK Filed June 18, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 PIC-3.3 39 33 25. 2

INVENTORS F. L. cu R R IE L. H.ROVER E I BY A ORNEY ELECTRICAL TERMINAL AND SWITCHBOARD TERMINAL BLOCK Filed June 18, 19:7

F." L. CURRIE ETA L 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS F. LCURRIE L. H. ROVERE AT ORNEY Patented Dec. 17, 1940 PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL TRIBUNAL AND SWITCH- BOARD TERMINAL BLOCK Frank Leslie came, Plainfield, N. 1., and Lewis a.

Revere, Brooklyn, N. Y.,

alslgnors to The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 18, 1937, Serial No. 149,022

16 Claims.

This invention relates to a terminal block of thetype employed for distribution purposes and has particular reference to the terminals used in such a block.

In telegraph omces and the like, the incoming and outgoing line wires, or cable conductors, and the receiving and transmitting apparatus are interconnected through a switchboard in what are known as regular assignments. Any temporary changes in these assignments may be effected by making appropriate patches between Jacks in the switchboard by means of cords provided for such purposes. Associated with the switchboard is a distributing frame on which are mounted termil5 nal blocks embodying facilities for terminating the lines, apparatus, etc., and also facilities for making the cross connections necessary to es tablish the original regular assignments or to make subsequent changes therein.

20 Heretofore terminal blocks of the general construction described in Letters. Patent No. 1,961,111 granted May 29, 1934, to L. H. Rovere et al., or in Letters Patent No. 2,071,713 granted Feb. 23, 1937, to J. B. Terrill, Jr., have been used 25 on distributing frames as hereinbefore described.

Both of the aforementioned terminal blocks employ a flat insulating support having slots formed in one of the flat surfaces thereof and contain in said slots terminal strips having suitable ofiset so portions so as to be secured longitudinally in the slots. The open sides of the slots ar closed by backing the supporting member with an insulating spacing member which is, in some cases, wider than the support, and which serves also to 35 space one row of terminals from another.

This type of construction results in having all of the terminals of one row in contact with a ledge, or shelf, which extends the entire length of the block. An accumulation of dust, dirt or 40 other foreign matter on such a ledge may reduce,

under certain conditions, the insulation resistance between the terminals of a row, or in some cases, even between the terminals of adjacent rows.

45 An obvious way of remedying such a .condition is to mold the terminal strips into the block, or into sections from which the block may be built up, in such a manner that the terminals are remote from any face which may come in contact 50 with an object to form a crevice. Aside from only be made by replacing at least an entire row of terminals. The replacement would be further complicated and impeded by the presence of the relatively large number of wires which are terminated on such blocks. 5

The latter diiilculty is also present in terminal blocks constructed according to the teachings of that portion of the prior art cited hereinbefcre. There, individual terminals may be replaced, but 1 only after dismantling a large part of, if not the entire, block. Because of a requirement for providing a large number of terminals disposed within restricted dimensions, the factor of safety in the strength of the terminals, while desirably large in the absence of other considerations, must be held to a reasonably safe minimum. -Hence, because of the frequent applications of heat in soldering and unsoldering connections to the terminals and because of the attendant use of tools thereon, occasionally a terminal becomes damaged to the extent that replacement is necessary.

Accordingly, the present invention is concerned with a terminal block having a large number of terminals disposed within restricted dimensions and in which the aforementioned difficulties 'of the prior art are obviated, one of the objects being to provide a block in which the inter-terminal insulation resistance is maintained at a predetermined maximum value. Another object of the invention is to produce a terminal block embodying terminal strips which may be quickly and easily replaced individually without any further dismantling of the block.

A further object of this invention is to prcvide a terminal employing a novel means for looking it in a supporting member.

A still further object is to produce a terminal block constructed to provide ready accessibility to the soldering lugs of all terminals.

The attainment of these and other more specific objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a' terminal block embodying terminal strips constructed in accordtime with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the block of Fig. 1, partly in section, to illustrate some of the construction details;

Fig. 3 is an. end elevation of the block of Figs. 1 and 2, partially cut away at the base to show one of the fanning openings therein;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view oi. one of the shorter terminal strips;

Fig. 5 shows, also in' perspective, one form of Fig. 6 illustrates the relative positions of a terminal strip, locking device and insulating member prior to assembly;

Fig. 7 shows the elements of Fig. 6 relative to one another after assembly:

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7 and further illustrating the assembly of the elements of Fig. 6 and the manner in which the locking member of Fig. is prepared for removal;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view taken on the line 8-9 of Fig. '1 showing the terminal strip and locking device in assembled position and also the configuration of the slot in the supporting member;

Fig. 10 illustrates a' terminal assembly employing another form of terminal strip;

Fig. 11 is a view taken on the line ll-H showing the terminal strip in its relation to the face.

of the supporting member, and also another configuration of the slot therein;

.Fig. 12 illustrates the assembly of a further form of terminal strip and another form of locking device;

Fig. 13 is a view taken on the line l8--l8, of

' locking devices similar in form to those of Fig.

4 locking member 25 is then counter inserted into Referring first to Fig. 4, there is shown a preferred form of a typical terminal strip 28 of good electrically conductive material embodying lugs 2| and 22 to which electric conductors may be soldered, or otherwise suitably amxed. The strip 'is generally fiat with the exception of that portion of it comprising a projecting shoulder 28 which is disposed adjacent one end thereof and integral therewith, and which is faced inwardly toward the central portion of the strip. Adjacent the other end of the strip is another inwardly facing projecting shoulder 24 which is formed in one of the long edges of the terminal strip.

Fig. 5 illustrates a' T-shaped locking member 25 of light resilient material, the function of which will be described subsequently. It will be noted that the central portion 26 is slightly bowed.

The installation of the terminal in a block may be followed by referring to Figs. 6, 7 and 8. An insulating supporting member 21 is provided with a slot 28 which is contiguous with the exterior of the support only at the entrance face 28 and at the exit face 88. The terminal 28 is first inserted in the slot 28, from the left as viewed in the drawings, until the shoulder 24 abuts the entrance face 28 of the support. In this position the shoulder 28- is disposed exterior of the sup port 21 adjacent the exit face 38 -thereof.' The the slot from the right; on this side of the support, the slot 28 is provided with beveled portions 3| so as to facilitate .the insertion of the locking device. Complete insertion of the lockof to nest into the bevel 8| and prevent further movement of the locking member to the left.

When in this position, itis seen that the head 38 of the locking member is situated entirely between the exit face 88 of the support 21 and the shoulder 23 on the terminal strip 28. The width of the slot 28 is slightly less than the combined overall normal thicknesses of the body of the terminal 28 and the locking member 25 so that when the latter are inserted in the slot, the locking member is forced into close engagement with the terminal strip. This feature precludes the possibility of the head 83 of the locking member becoming disengaged from the shoulder 28.

As described hereinbefore, further movement of the terminal 28 to the right is prevented by the contact of the shoulder 24 with the entrance face 28- of the supporting member. Any tendency for the terminal being withdrawn from the support 21, or, inother words, being moved to the left, while the locking member25 is in operative position is also prevented by the shoulder 28 coming in contact with the head 83 of the locking device and causing the latter to solidly engage the support 21. Thus the terminal 28 is securely positioned in the supporting niember 21.

A terminal in accordance with the present invention may also be easily removed from the sup- I port 21, by first deflecting the head 88 of the locking member clear of the terminal shoulder as indicated in Fig. 8 by the arrow 84. The locking member 26 may then be withdrawn from the slot 28 as indicated by the arrow 85, following which the terminal 28 may be withdrawn from the left side of the support 21.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a slot having the shape of a Greek cross is used. an enlarged illustration of which is shown in Fig. 9. In addition to being somewhat easier to form than slots having other shapes, the slot 28 shown here permits the assembly therein of the terminal 28 so that the ends thereof are disposed either vertically as shown, or horizontally as they would be if the body of the terminal were inserted in that part of the slot formed by therecessed portions 88 and 81 in the sides thereof. At least one of the recessed portions 88 or 81 is necessary for a terminal 28 of this preferred form to provide for the passage of the shoulder 28 through the support 21. Hence, with the added recess, a terminal may be installed in any desired position.

A multi-terminal distributing block constructed in accordance with this invention is shown in Figs. 1,2 and 3. It is comprised of four elongated supporting members 21 each having a plurality of transverse slots therein of the form shown in Fig. 9. The supporting members 21 are assembled on an insulating base 88 in a superimposed manner one upon the other and fastened by four screws 88 which also serve to secure to the top supporting member two brackets 48 by which a cover may be attached. The screws 38 are secured to the base 88 by being threaded into a F metallic insert 41 disposed on the underside of the base in a suitable recess thereof. Each of the supporting members 21 is provided with terminals of the form described but varying in length, the longest 42 comprising the row adiacent the base 88 and grading therefrom to the shortest 28 which comprise the row most remote from the base. Corresponding terminals of different tiers arein alignment, but the graduated lengths thereof provide the necessary degree of accessibility. The base 88 is provided with individual fanning openings 43 for each end of each of the terminal strips.

.Another form of terminal embodying the present invention is illustratedv in Figs. 10 and l1.

In this form, both of the shoulders 44 and 44 are formed in the faces of the strip 4 adjacent the ends thereof. A slightly diflerently shaped slot 4'! is required in the supporting member. In this 5 case only one recessed portion 4! may be used and that to allow the passage of the shoulder 46 through the support, thus forming a generally T-shaped slot. The same form of locking member as illustrated in Fig. 5 is used to securely position the terminal 46 in the support and is removed as indicated by the arrows 34 and 35.

Still another form of terminal constructed according to this invention is shown in Figs. 1 2, 13 and 14. An inwardly facing shoulder 48 is formed in one edge of the terminal strip adjacent one end thereof and is similar to the corresponding shoulder of the terminal illustrated in Fig. 4. The present form of terminal embodies an outwardly facing shoulder 5| which projects from one face-thereof adjacent the end embodying the shoulder 49. The locking member 52, while generally similar to that shown in Fig. 5, has the added feature of an aperture 53 disposed in the tail portion thereof, the function of which is to engage the shoulder-5i of the terminal 50 when the two are counter inserted into the slot 54.

The head portion of the locking member 52- abuts the exit face of the support in a manner such that the assembled elements are effectively locked in position in said support. The manner of removal of the locking member 52 is indicated by arrows 34 and 35. While this form of terminal requires only a rectangularly shaped slot 54 in the supporting memberyit may also be employed with the slots of Figs. 9 and 11 with equal facility.

In Figs. 15 and16 is shown an added form of terminal 66 in which two outwardly facing shoul ders 51 and 58 are formed in opposite faces of 10 the terminal adiacent the ends thereof. Two

looking members 52 having apertures 58 in the tail portions thereof similar to that shown in Figs. 12, i3 and 14, are required with the present 7 form of terminal. With the terminal inserted into a T-shaped slot 47, which is similar to that of ill, the locking members 52 are inserted from apposite sides of the support and on opposite faces of the terminal Iii until their head portions $5 abut the faces of the support and the apertures 53 engage the shoulders I1 and II, in which positions the assembly is eflectively locked in the supporting member as may be seen. The locking members are withdrawn as indicated by the arrows 34 and 35. A slot 41 of the shape {:5 illustrated is necessary to permit the e of one of the shoulders 51 or II, but a slot shaped similar to that shown in Fig. 9 may also be used with the present form of terminal. From the foregoing description it should be apiiO parent that a terminal block constructed in ac-.

cordance with the present invention provides facilities for terminating-and cross connecting a large number of conductors, and which is contained in a space of restricted dimensions. Also v a terminal block of such construction is quite flexible in its composition and embodies terminals which may be readily replaced. which are adequately accessible and between which there is provided an insulation, the electrical resistance of which is less liable to change due to an accumulatlon offoreign matter thereon than that of other conventional designs.

The invention has been disclosed in a number of different forms, but it is recognised that there are others which lie within the scope of the preseat invention and which will be suggested to one skilled in the art. Hence. it is desired that the invention be limited only by the prior art or as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a terminal block comprising an insulating support having a transverse slot therein, the combination of a terminal for electric conductora comprising a strip of electrically conductive material for insertion into said slot, said strip embodying two shoulder portions integral therewith, one of said shoulders abutting the entrance fa. of said support, and locking means for counter insertion into said slot and into resistry with the exit face of said support and the other of said shoulders to releasably lock said strip in said support.

2. In a terminal block comprising an insulating support having a T-shaped transverse slot therein, the combination of a terminal for electric conductors comprising a strip of electrically conductive material for insertion into said slot, said strip terminating in soldering lugs and embodying two inwardly facing shoulder portions adjacent the ends thereof and integral therewith, at least one of said shoulders disposed on a face of said strip and positioned external of said support adjacent the exit face thereof, the other of said shoulders abutting the entrance face of said support, and a T-shaped locking member of light resilient material for counter insertion into said slot with the head of said locking member in registry with said exit face and said first mentioned shoulder to releasably lock said strip in said support.

3. In a terminal block comprising an insulating support having a T-shaped transverse 'slot therein, the combination of a terminal for electric conductors comprising a strip of electrically conductive material for insertion into said slot, said strip terminating in soldering lugs and embodying two inwardly facing shoulder portions adiacent the ends thereof and integral therewith, one of said shoulders projecting edgewise of said strip and abutting the entrance face of said sup.- port, the. other of said shoulders projecting from a face of said strip and positioned external of said support adjacent the exit face thereof, and a T-shaped locking member of light resilient material for counter insertion into said slot with the head end of said locking member in registry with said exit face and said last mentioned shoulder to releasably lock said strip in said support.

4. In a terminal block comprising an insulating support having two transverse slots therein, said slots being disposed at right angles to be longitudinally mutually bisecting. the combination of a terminal for electric conductors comprising a strip of electrically conductive material for insertion into either of said slots, said strip terminatiiig in soldering lugs and embodying two inwardly facing shoulder portions adjacent the ends thereof and integral therewith, one of said shoulders projecting edgewise of said strip and abutting the entrance face of said support, the other of said shoulders projecting from a face of said strip and positioned external of said supportadjacent the exit face thereof, and a T- ahaped locking member to light resilient material for counter insertion into said slot with the head end of said locking member in registry with said exit face and said last mentioned shoulder to releasably lock said strip in said support.-

5. In a terminal block comprising an insulating support having a 'r-shaped transverse slot therein. the combination oi a terminal for electric conductors comprising a strip of electrically conductive material for insertion into said slot, said strip terminating in soldering lugs and embodying two inwardly facing shoulder portions pro- Jecting from opposite faces adjacent the ends thereof and integral therewith, one of said shoulders abutting the entrance face of said support, the other of said shoulders being positioned external of said support adjacent the exit face thereof and a T- shaped locking member of light one of said shoulders projecting edg'ewise of said strip and abutting the entrance face of said support the other of said shoulders projecting from a face of said strip'andp'ositioned external of said support adjacent the entrance face thereof, and a T-shaped locking member of light resilient material having a rectangular aperture in the tail end thereof, said member for counter insertion into said slot with the head end of said locking member in registry with the exit face of. said "support and said aperture in registry with said last mentioned shoulder to releasably lock said strip in said support.

'7. A terminal block comprising an insulating support having a plurality of parallel transverse slots therein. a terminal strip for electric conductors contained in each of said slots, said strips comprising a body portion having a plurality of retaining means integral therewith, and a T- shaped locking member contained in each of said slots engaging said support and one of said retaining means to releasably lock each of said strips independently in said support.

8. The invention as defined in claim I further I characterized by an insulating support having a plurality of rows of parallel transverse slots therein and by terminal strips having different lengths, the bottom one of said rows containing the longest one of said strips, the top one of said rows containing the shortest of said strips and the intervening rows containing said strips in lengths graduated between said top and bottom rows.

9. The invention as defined in claim 7 further characterized by a plurality of insulating supports each having a row of parallel slots therein and means for mounting said insulating, supports superimposed upon one another to provide successive rows of said terminal strips each of said rows having a diilerent length of strip.

10. The invention as defined in claim 7 further characterized by a plurality of insulating supports each having a row of parallel slots therein, an insulating base and means for mounting said insulating supports on said base superimposed upon one another to provide successive rows of said strips, said strips having lengths inversely proportional to their respective distances from said base and said base having fanning openings therein individual to each end of each of said terminal strips. 7

FRANK LESLIE CURRIE. LEWIS H. ROVERE. 

